The Ingredients of Gumbo
Short Stories... And much more

Every family is a unique stew of personalities, memories and shared events. When stirred with care and respect, the mix produces a lifetime’s feast of love.
Julia Schuster’s stories about Southern families—their dreams, feuds and peculiarities reflect the universal appeal of all families everywhere— the rich, deep and fulfilling bond of tolerant affection.
“I watch the members of my family file into the dining room, one by one, ingredients, each of them, yes, a menagerie of peculiar ingredients that make no sense at all together until they are thrown into the pot and simmered for awhile.”
The Ingredients of Gumbo treats readers to an artful mix of stories, poems, recipes and gentle, sassy opinion, mingling the exotic and familiar, the funny and sad—all the intricate flavors, textures and spices of life in the South. Julia explores it all—the complex and often comical relationships in families, her unwavering faith, the shared bond of food, and her discovery of the joy found in reaching outside her family—indeed, across the globe—to help others.
Sit back, grab a glass of sweet tea and enjoy!
Julia Schuster’s stories about Southern families—their dreams, feuds and peculiarities reflect the universal appeal of all families everywhere— the rich, deep and fulfilling bond of tolerant affection.
“I watch the members of my family file into the dining room, one by one, ingredients, each of them, yes, a menagerie of peculiar ingredients that make no sense at all together until they are thrown into the pot and simmered for awhile.”
The Ingredients of Gumbo treats readers to an artful mix of stories, poems, recipes and gentle, sassy opinion, mingling the exotic and familiar, the funny and sad—all the intricate flavors, textures and spices of life in the South. Julia explores it all—the complex and often comical relationships in families, her unwavering faith, the shared bond of food, and her discovery of the joy found in reaching outside her family—indeed, across the globe—to help others.
Sit back, grab a glass of sweet tea and enjoy!